Police still investigating double homicide, first case since 2011

The Davis Police are continuing to investigate the apparent double homicide at the condominium at 4006 Cowell Blvd. in South Davis. The Yolo County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the names of the victims.

According to the Davis Enterprise, neighbors say the victims are a married couple in their 80s, whose daughter called the Davis Police to request a welfare check.

A family friend who was at the scene of the crime identified the couple as Chip and Claudia. Although the causes of death have not been released, officers said there were signs of forced entry. Additionally, no motive or suspects have been identified.

According to the Davis Police Department’s crime map, 18 break-ins, petty thefts and grand thefts have been reported in the past three months around the neighborhood and nearby neighborhoods.

The last homicide case occurred in October 2011, when James Elron Mings strangled Kevin Gerard Seery to death in Seery’s apartment on J Street.

Lt. Paul Doroshov of the Davis Police said that they will try to send out an updated press release at around 4 or 4:30 p.m. today.

— Claire Tan

UPDATE: 4:48 p.m.

According to a Davis Police press release sent at 4:34 p.m., the victims suffered stab wounds, although the official cause of death will be determined by the Yolo County Coroner. The victims’ identities are still not released.

Currently, it is believed the victims are an elderly couple in their mid-70s to late 80s.

Investigators from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, Yolo County Coroner’s Office, West Sacramento Police Department, California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are assisting the Davis Police.

“Homicides are a rarity in Davis. We understand the violent nature of this crime is a shock to our community,” the press release stated. “We will be fielding extra patrol officers as a preventative measure.”

— Claire Tan

UPDATE: 8:13 p.m.

The victims have been identified as 87-year-old Oliver J. Northup and his wife, 76-year-old Claudia M. Maupin. Northup was a prominent elderly attorney in the Davis community.

A motive still has not been established, but Lt. Doroshov said to The Sacramento Bee that although there were signs of forced entry, the house had not been ransacked.

Mayor Joe Krovoza released a statement in regard to the incident:

It’s with great of sadness that the City Council and I have received new[s] of the deaths of Claudia Maupin and Chip Northup. Our hearts go out to their families, friends, fellow congregants at the Davis Unitarian Universalist Church, and the many groups in Davis they touched. While Davis achieves a high degree of safety through our police and the watchful eyes of all, we are not imune [sic] from terrible acts. Let us all redouble our efforts to protect our fellow citizens and give support to those who have suffered this irreversible loss. Our Council is staying well-informed on the quick and comprehensive response of our police, and our Police Department’s efforts will not cease until the case is brought to closure.